Picking up a Big Elm Log

Urban Logging Strategies: • Urban Logging Strategi...
Videos about my Log Trailer: • My Trailer with Log Lo...
What Size Winch Do I Need for Urban Logging? - • What Size Winch Do I N...
Products Used [Amazon links are affiliate links]
60" Peavey: amzn.to/2m3Wple
78" Cant Hook: amzn.to/2Is0RY1
Log Tongs: amzn.to/2sVjj1h
Hi-Lift Jack: amzn.to/2nwL9Nq
Anchor Seal: amzn.to/2rTQdAD
3/4" Shackle: amzn.to/2ow91DC
Grab Hook on Pear Link: amzn.to/2CmBzcL
Double Grab Hook: amzn.to/2px4FA4
5/16" G70 Chain: amzn.to/2NFav9F
Thank you to Triton Tools and Horton Brasses for sponsoring my work
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[@jameselder2418]

I love your loading and unloading videos, they are a real life testament to human ingenuity and what a lone person with a plan, a few simple tools plus a little hard work can achieve. Your build videos prove that the effort is amazingly worthwhile and they are an inspiration to your viewers.

[@mcremona]

Thank you!

[@herisutardi8863]

Jawa .....suka suka.....Im like this vidio..tengkiu😁😁

[@georgeradford9965]

Its amazing how you are able to handle a log like the by yourself. enjoyed watching.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@nancyjeanharvey7647]

It's not boring to me, it's interesting how you maneuver those huge logs.

[@LindsayWilson-vj1wc]

Great to see the detailed prep before even leaving home. too many people make it harden on themselves by forgetting one thing they didn't expect to need.

[@inspectr1949]

Matt always amazes me your access to urban logs, here in upsate NY it's all cut up or earmarked for firewood before it even hits the ground such a shame especially when its cherry, walnut, butternut, sycamore , or tiger maple; watching you is wishing I could roll the clocks back some 45 years and do the things on my bucket list that are all but pipe dreams now, 2 thumbs up!

[@drewt3210]

Same here in Charlotte, NC. Almost always bucked for firewood before posted on craigslist.

[@robertpelland5649]

Michael, If you find a way to roll back the 45 years, just let me know because I would be a good candidate also.

[@Shawn-Hyde]

Matt, cut yourself a half circle log and kick it under the log that your rolling while your using the cant hook to roll the log, it makes life much easier and saves a lot of time. I can roll 20'x36" logs up a ramp like that with a single cant hook. You have access to so many unique logs down there in the twin cities. Another great video!

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Matt Cremona- "The Human Ant". Incredible.

[@doubledarefan]

With a similar strength-to-weight ratio to boot!

[@geraldshultz4271]

You never cease to amaze me how you work with huge loads alone. Great video thanks!!!!!

[@kamurray67]

Good to see you finally got a real truck

[@stevencroon]

My experience with working with Elm is that it is difficult to get dried right because it likes to twist, but it makes beautiful wood for furniture and projects.

[@brucea550]

Man you aren’t joking about the twist! I’ve never milled any, but when I was a teen Dutch Elm disease hit our area and we got a lot of it for free which we used for firewood. It burns hot, but what a bitch to split by hand!

[@stankrieger3598]

I moved one today that keep me on my toes, When you put the jack under the log to loosen your chain, a great move. I will carry me an additional jack next time. Thanks for all your videos

[@jeromewalton5553]

I really liked that video for all of the reasons you said. The homework, unknowns, preparation, the right amount of skepticism, challenge you and your gear, “free wood”, and ultimately a huge log for cutting up!

[@garysouza2277]

Excellent use of rollers and leverage. You're quite brilliant.

[@ron827]

I am always impressed with all you are able to do alone. Your proper planning and ingenuity pays off.

[@mitchellgiebler3396]

Matt, the tongue weight is a variable associated with the positioning of your arch, what you're saying is you can't get the log far enough forward which is separate from the actual length of the trailer.

[@MaxPowerCrafts]

It's always interesting seeing how you get these behemoths onto your trailer and off onto the mill : )

[@rob-v1y]

What would be good for this is a 14 ft. tandem axle car hauler with a slope back and a dump. With the winch mounted to the front of course. You could put your "a" frame on the back, but the winch would mostly slide the log on. You wouldn't have to lift it to clear the back because the back sits on the ground. That trailer always looks overloaded...because, as you pointed out, it is hard to get the weight distributed forward to the tongue. Lot of fun watching you make it work though! Be careful with your back!

[@ProtoNeoVintage]

My urban logging hasn't been nearly as impressive as this...yet. Kinda limited to things I can fit in the back of the minivan. Still, I keep taking notes and adding tools for the day the ABW lets me go nuts. Or she can no longer prevent me from going nuts. :) Cold called on a fallen oak and the owner was thrilled to let me have it and even met with me to walk the property and see if there was anything else I wanted. Plenty of bowl blanks now. Hoping to the Alaskan Mill for Yule/birthday and I can make something different with what I haven't chunked up yet. As always you are motivational and inspirational. Thank you.

[@timbermen11]

I believe it’s an American Elm judging by the leaf. Sometimes American Elm get these crazy looking “bleach spots” in them where it’s turns the wood almost a gold color and voids out the grain, like Dalmatian spots. I milled one last week(burl log) and was getting a lot of chatter, had to order a different blade. Matt you’re like a one man army, keep up the great work!

[@jfricke4413]

I agree 100% on your comment about on-the-fly problem solving on urban log recoveries. It's very rewarding to overcome the unpredictable issues that a recovery brings. It's also rewarding when a recovery goes flawlessly... the one in twenty times that happens. We had one this week and I'm still high-fiving myself.

[@mcremona]

High fives all around!

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

Great overview of your process and all the gear needed. Enjoyed this a lot. Thanks for sharing!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@warner631]

Your videos just make me happy. It's so much different from my day to day life. Thank you very much for making them

[@mcremona]

Thanks Tyler!

[@ethics1017]

I recently bought a retired utility 7k trailer for the same purpose. New brakes soon! Then I'll install a similar boom. That lift system looks much better than a ramp system I've used in the past. I'm curious about the elm. Being a sawmill owner people ask me what kind of logs I'm looking for and I say some of each. I am using some sassafrass for the sawshack window sills and they look really nice. My biggest priority right now is to mill and store all the white ash I can get my hands on "extinction imminent". Love your vids Matt, Rock on.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good job Matt, you’re a work horse like your equipment. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@walterrider9600]

thank you

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

Great video on tools and setup! Thanks 🤠👍 hopefully we get together before the snow flies

[@stupot8413]

The on screen metric conversions are always much appreciated.

[@Mikefestiva]

Man that’s a really big log! I like your detective work you did to figure out what kind of tree it was. You guys got a lot of different varieties of trees out there, we mostly have, Douglas Fir, Cedar, Hemlock, grand fir, silver fir, big leaf maple, Alder, and a smaller mixture of a few other trees. Thanks for posting Matt 🙂

[@MrPlumberguy23]

Looks like a lot of work and a lot more to do

[@nathansmith5229]

what i would do is cut the front rail off and move the winch and rail forward on the tongue. that way you can move the front of the log forward another 2 foot and get a better weight balance. please make sure to service your hubs once a year.

[@dmmaddex]

Matt, I re-watched April Wilkerson's sawmill build and recognized you as one of the builders. It's a beautiful mill and you guys do a great job on it.

[@ginaalwaysavip1177]

Thank you for sharing with us all. It should make some pretty lumber.

[@tomdenny8507]

I kept waiting to see if you were going back for the other piece of that tree. Fun, interesting video. Thanks.

[@mcremona]

Didn’t have time last week. Might see if they’re still there tomorrow. Thanks!

[@cliftonsnider1520]

I always enjoy watching your loading process because like you I know that figuring out how to do something like that is more than half the fun. And sweet new ride, I sometimes felt sorry for the little Dakota.

[@mcremona]

hahaha thanks!

[@135tp]

Hope you're enjoying "logging" miles in that new truck! 👍

[@120ohm]

That loading mechanism is amazing! Cut down a 4 foot diameter cotton wood at our property, my little Ford tractor couldn't begin to lift it unless I cut it into 3 foot chunks! Hope to build a mill someday! For now the chainsaw will have to do! Keep up the good work!

[@mrinternet5562]

Went to a wedding in white bear lake...nice little downtown area. Nice wood.

[@Mikidy303]

Good video! Thanks for posting, Another display of remarkable ingenuity loading such a large item.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@KoJo-qh9od]

You should put in a large concrete slab under your mill and get a big A-frame hoist for lifting off those giant slabs and moving them around to your drying stacks.

[@bmaclaps]

Can't wait for the custom trailer build!

[@edvickery958]

New truck! Looking forward to a series on building a new log trailer.

[@mcremona]

Parts arrived yesterday 😁

[@Z-Bart]

Great research tip. 'Street view'.

[@chriswatts4145]

I'm sure you could find a older gooseneck you could modify for your log pickups. You could reposition the winch on the neck the trailer for better room and lifting capacity. Your Ram 3500 would be able to handle and maneuver better with the gooseneck style trailer also. I know cost is always a factor but it's just an idea that you could watch out for. Good job dealing with what you have though. 👍

[@PeacefieldJohnAdams]

This was very interesting. And even though it creaked and groaned nothing snapped or left you with a big mess.

[@kenjett2434]

Matt you like me always up for and looking for that next challenge. That elm is likly going to make some very unique cuts.

[@BayouChilehead]

That's a big log!! I just noticed you upgraded from the Dakota. Nice dually!!

[@alasdairmackenzie515]

Hey Matt, I envy you that log. Elm is about the only figured wood I can readily get hold of here in the North West of Scotland. Luckily it's a favourite! Looking forward to seeing what's inside that beauty. Thank you for the videos!!

[@Vintauri]

Oohhhh I do love me some Elm! Can't wait to see what it looks like opened up!

[@guntherkratt1979]

What a job !! Unbelivable how "easy" it seems to ge this huge log on the trailer. I guess you will not have any problems with overload. Over here in Germany, with a log like that on a trailer, they will stop you right away. I'm interested in how the boards turn out of this giant.

[@bobbyblizzard8488]

I thought I was the only guy who "researches" craigslist finds with street view! Another great video!

[@brucea550]

Hell, I research it with courtview sometimes, just to know what sort of outlaw I’ll be dealing with!

[@iainf6]

Great bit of manovering to get the trailer on site. Despite the slope you got the log on fairly easily too 👏👏 experience of moving logs helped too...... Enjoyed the process Matt 👍👏👏👏👏

[@ritamoore3940]

Came from Doug and Stacey. This is amazing to watch

[@johnburens3395]

Hopefully we'll see this slabbed up soon!

[@kenshores9900]

It looks like an American Elm based on the leaf shape. It is amazing that it was still alive with all the elm blights that exist.

[@bfd1565]

Fun stuff watching you snag logs.

[@Bergalicious38]

♥♥♥ That was an awesome job! I enjoy watching you struggle...for educations sake, of course!

[@mcremona]

Hahahah thanks!

[@2cofitb]

Don’t know when you got it, but do you want to talk about your new truck? Why you went with it, and what’s important about it’s specs for hauling logs?

[@mcremona]

I got it in July. I can certainly talk about that if people are interested but the short answer is I went with that one so I’d have something to grow into. It’s more than I need now but I didn’t want to be out buying a bigger truck in a couple years

[@mcremona]

@jacktheripped hahaha

[@thatellipsisguy8984]

Ram-a-lam, Ram-a-lama-ding-dong 🎶

[@kb7722]

Well you made that look easy!

[@lyndamcardle4123]

That's a big bugger Matt !

[@alexbowlds3942]

Matt, For those downhill loading scenarios, consider a fair lead across the back of your trailer, at the deck level. I think a second winch might be a good addition as well, to pull the log in as the other lifts with the arch. And yes, your trailer has some significant limitations. Another consideration would be a gooseneck style trailer. You could get some more length while improving your maneuverability in tight spaces. Good luck, and thanks for the great video.

[@David-fv7zg]

This would be a fantastic series of log from yard to trailer to mill to (Insert project here).

[@randywilson6869]

I did tree removal for 25 years around Tulsa. There is no back yard saw mills around here but the big one wouldn't take any logs from us because they was afraid there would b a pipe or nailed in it I found a pistol under a big root ball we dug and rolled out

[@drewduncan5774]

That was a beautiful tree. Glad it gets a second life.

[@bobrenner1624]

Love the videos Matt Should be getting my trailer (1st) week in November , then I will fabricate the Arch & all the rest

[@mcremona]

Awesome!

[@joyfilters]

Matt, I would recommend a roller just above your winch. When you were pulling the long in I heard it rubbing on the angle iron

[@mcremona]

must have been something else. The fairlead extends past the front frame.

[@davidcrandell1172]

Another great vid Matt. Thanks for sharing.

[@wyattdean5658]

New 1 ton Dodge. Nice.

[@charlesroberts9675]

Enjoy watching your rigging...

[@jefferydavis9441]

your videos are awesome thank you we're taking your time to do the videos.

[@jefferydavis9441]

sorry. thanks for taking your time to film .the videos. i like to see what the grain and color and figure comes out a each cut.

[@Malusifer]

Smart idea using street view

[@runsolo7418]

Just looking a the amount of spare wire on the winch drum, have you considered running the wire to a block on the log arch, and back to a hard point by the winch. It would give you more pulling power as well as keeping the wire from tangling on the winch drum.

[@stevecollins9450]

Well done tthere, Matt. I love elms, I have quite a few winged elms on my property.

[@justmeva]

That thing is HUGE!!! I thought that the log was going to lift the back end of your pickup off the ground. 😉

[@stellmacher297]

Intersting trailer. Can you show the connection between the trailer and the car? It looks completely different than in Germany. Also the pivot point of the lift mechanism should be very strong, can you show it? Nice video

[@ypop417]

(www.fultonperformance.com/products/trailer-couplers/1FH2T9xswWRhSokecq6Vec9WZOxSt%7Csp) that website will show the coupler pretty much the standard here.

[@mcremona]

mount - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmG0o6qdiMSVeZo

[@thomaslang7634]

A big roller bar at the end of that trailer would help greatly

[@drewt3210]

Yes. I found mine cheap at auction in the form of pallet conveyors. I bought 3 different sizes...sitting on 40+ rollers now, wondering what to do with all of them - ha!

[@brucea550]

I want some!

[@drewt3210]

@@brucea550 Where ya located? I'm in Charlotte, NC. I could ship, but they're very heavy! They're good for making a sheet metal slip roller too. Best, @HoneyOnWales

[@brucea550]

Yeah, the shipping to Alaska would kill the deal... : (

[@walt8089]

This may sound crazy BUT, if one could engineer a trailer deck that rolled on a roller mechanism on the main frame of the trailer for the load and then it could roll up to get the weight of the load on the tongue ? The winch could be used to pull the rolling deck forward on the main frame. Then large pins or bolts could be used to lock the rolling deck to the main frame once it was positioned ? Several holes could give options for position of the deck depending on the weight of the log.

[@brucea550]

Not crazy, they actually make trailers with the axles like that. You can pin the axle framework in different places.

[@mikecavossa6450]

I love your work man

[@TheUserid82]

Would the shed carrying units be a better setup to copy? one power unit and a set of wheels for the other side using the log between them as part of the structure when transporting. The trailer part of the setup would be just a small platform behind the truck the power unit parks to then gets strapped on withe the log and wheel unit making up the rest of the trailer for transport. Power unit would be just a small engine connected to a hydraulic pump to then run the drive wheels, steering and lift cylinder. Wheel unit would simply be a double axle unit with a cradle for the log/s and strap down points so once under the log can chain down and it will freewheel the entire trip both pulled by the power unit and when the truck is pulling. Some long chains to bind the wheel unit to the power unit for road transport so the distance can't extend and drop the log and some lights to hang off the back for normal road signals. Truck side trailer would be sized for the power units wheels with a winch to help pull it up the ramps and binder spots to lock it in place for travel. Why limit yourself with a trailer when with the same setup you can grab a 10 foot log or a 20 foot log and the only difference is how well it travels on the lawn till you can get to the pavement.

[@bulldozer7656]

Wow, that's a big log.. Great job

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@danbreyfogle8486]

It looks like American Elm to me, I had one die a couple years ago, it just gave up the ghost in the middle of the summer. Someone asked about Dutch Elm, it is doubtful that it was the problem. That problem seems to have gone with all the elm trees, it is more just end of life. My tree cutter said he has seen many elms do the same thing, first thing that shows is one side of a crotch will die and then the rest goes. Anyway, great video, nice way to handle a big log.

[@kaycox5555]

You do an amazing job of moving those huge logs~

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@brucea550]

Having done this exact sort of thing much of my life, I can attest that it’s fun, interesting, and you really learn a lot about different ways to use leverage and rigging. The only thing I would have added to the ‘tool kit’ shown in the beginning is a come-along hand winch.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great video Matt! Thanks for sharing it with us.👍👌😎JP

[@jkmarut]

Wonder if that tree is a victim of Dutch Elm Disease? The street view photos of it certainly looked like a tree in distress.

[@jkay3423]

It almost looks like you have done that before, well done brother!

[@David-fv7zg]

Don’t worry MAtt, in 15 or 20 years the kids will be there to help you roll those logs.

[@brettwood1642]

David there may not be any trees in 20 years.

[@hxFubar]

How do you find your tree's? Do you market to tree trimming companies to get leads so they don't have to hall them away? Have you thought about finding an old flatbed tow truck or similar with a tilt bed to use to get your logs? (Might not be a good thing because then you would be bringing home even larger logs and need to build a bigger saw too.... LOL)

[@jlf1430]

Your comment about the length of your trailer. Have you considered a sliding bed on your trailer? Your arch attached to the trailer, the bed slides back to the load. You load up, and then pull the bed forward to distribute the weight toward the tongue... Let me know if you want to discuss the idea further.

[@lemagreengreen]

That's one huge Elm! our native Elm species doesn't get nearly this big, its lovely wood for certain purposes though, I've always thought of it as the slightly wayward cousin of oak.

[@donazzopardi2721]

Looks like you can extend the trailer bed a 1' to a 1 1/2' over the tongue to increase the tongue weight and not affect turn radius.

[@louisdale7115]

Matthew would a roller on the back not help,Love your videos.

[@richardreynolds9389]

When you load those logs,I can certainly see why you stay back when it's moving. A multi-ton log that decides to go the wrong way can make a good day turn really bad. Always enjoy the videos.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome stuff Matt! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@mcremona]

Thanks Fred!

[@politicalpartyagnostic268]

Bravo!!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻GREAT WORK!!! Thank you for this video!!!

[@mcremona]

Thank you!

[@txhogdoggn]

iv seen how you load logs onto your mill that have been off loaded from your trailer. have you thought about a log arch on the end of your mill? it would prevent you from having to use your trailer to lift the logs then back up to your mill. iv got a couple pecans that weigh around 3500# and a couple at 6000 and my tractor can only lift 3000 #. i too have thought about building a purpose built logging trailer, much shorter than my 35' gooseneck, which is a PAIN to wiggle into some locations iv went to to recover some trees. if i knew how to post pics here, i would post a few of my logs

[@WoodUCreate]

Looks like you need to add or replace some leaf springs in the trailer. I know it was a big log, but it sure does look like you need some extra beef on the trailer.

[@mcremona]

I'm going with replace the entire trailer

[@jean-marclabonte2844]

Nice Job once again.You mentioned the shortness of the the trailer as a downside. Looking at the length of the trailer and more specifically the distance from the hitch to the end of bed and there is lot of dead space there. Why don't you add onto the bed of the trailer going towards the hitch. You could easily add 2 feet without lengthening the trailer foot print, its all open air, fill it in with more bed. Move the railing and the winch two feet forward towards the hitch. I am pretty sure you could weld something up over a weekend. I don't think the addition would limit your turning ability. You could make up a plywood mock up and see if it works. There is the two more feet you need. Take care. Good Luck

[@mcremona]

Absolutely. This is where my mind took me. Thanks!

[@jabbasan12]

Great video Matt. Thanks for sharing!

[@mountainman1961]

Hey Matt! If you would get you a drop hitch that would help you on leveling you load.

[@HOODS]

Awesome video. People have to stop cutting into trees without a plan. I have one pretty close to me that will likely be cut into firewood rounds by the time I get my trailer wiring finished. I know my mill cannot handle a log that big but that dont mean I cant chainsaw it in half.lol

[@brucea550]

I found some free logs on Craigslist, and swore I told the guy I planned to mill them. Well, by the time I showed up he was all proud he had cut them into firewood length for me. 😡

[@phillipcarden7027]

I could be wrong but it looks like you could lengthen the bed about 2' and solve the light tongue problem.